24-Team Playoff, Super Kamario vs. Alabama & Week 5 Picks

Seth Saunders: Twenty fourteen playoff is a win. It's not an if. Like it's going to happen. One of the quotes from w what they termed a stakeholder, a C FP stakeholder. So so just take that for whatever you want it to mean, but was if the money is right, it's happening. Which means it's happening. It's happening. Yeah, it's happening. Like they've already had discussions about what the the buyout numbers look like to make the conferences even for losing conference championship games. Like it's coming. And we need to get used to that reality. And the calendars that I have seen is that conference championship week would functionally become a bye, which means to me that becomes Army Navy Week. And then the following week, which used to be Army Navy week, would then become round one of the playoffs. And then round two of the playoffs would happen the third week in December. So that weekend before Christmas essentially. And then what they're saying is those first two rounds would likely be on campus. And then as it is now Quarter semis CFP title game will, you know, go through the same process they're going through now, rotating through the bowls and whatnot. Yeah. Yeah, fire up the grill, crank the speakers loud. Saturdays feel holy in this college crowd. Seth and James on the mic, preaching gospel true, talking rivalries, legends, red, black, old, and blue. From dead valley lights to the camp, Randall Cold. They're telling stories. They never get old. Ain't no Warm hearts on the show tonight. They're walking on proud on the stadium lies. They're the preferred walk-on. No scholarship still putting it on from the church attelegate. Welcome to the preferred walk-on show, the People's College Football Show. I am your host, Seth Saunders, joined as always by my trusty co-host, James Kim. Jimmy, good to see you, brother. Another exciting week on tap. ⁓ not to, you know, pump our own tires here, but the boys had a Pretty good week picking games last week. So yeah, let's hope we can keep that rolling because it was well, I think we're getting back on track. We had a tough full disclosure, a tough 2025. Historically, we've been pretty good. Twenty twenty five. Twenty twenty five has been good. Not great. Not kind. Not great. I feel like I feel like we're we're getting back on the horse this year. So Yeah. ⁓ a lot going on. Great week last week. I feel like now we're a month in, four weeks through, things are starting to I think shape up. We're starting to get an idea of who teams actually are. I think we both feel this way, and I know it's based off like they want to pump T V rankings and all that type of stuff, but why why we are ranking teams in the preseason I feel like gets further and further affirmed as idiotic every single year. Yeah. Like this year Think about what a crapshoot trying to rank these teams are. And then as these teams are figuring out who they are, and I feel like especially given how transient the rosters are and guys transferring and all those type things, just it is hard to tell because there's just not consistency. ⁓ and certainly no different in coaching changes, right? You got staff changes and all these different things, but it's been a it's been an interesting year so far. I I wanna talk about something that's a little I guess not completely game related, but certainly sport related. And there was an article that came out today, because you know they we haven't talked about this, but you know, they opened the negotiating window for the CFP to negotiate with the with the ESPN about expanding the playoff structure. And functionally how it works is ESPN has a 30 day exclusive window to have those negotiations with the CFP. And then if they don't come to an agreement of some kind, at least my understanding, is then it opens up to the broader TV networks and then you can start having further discussions about that. And dude, number one, as soon as I saw the story drop a few weeks back that they're gonna open the window, I mean, dude, it's what talked about during the summer on on this show that twenty fourteen playoff is a win. It's not an if. Like it's going to happen. The the numbers and the money is too big for it not to happen. And so when I saw the article, I went, Well, there it is. Like they are aware now that the numbers that start with a B, billion with a B, are gonna be big enough where the conferences are like, how how do we say no to this? Like how do we go to our membership and say this deal was on the table and we didn't take it? Especially given how expensive college athletics is getting, not just from I feel like sustaining things on the productivity side. So like, dude, the the facilities race, all these type things. Like, dude, it used to be you would use facilities as an edge, and now it's just it it you have to have it, right? Like doesn't matter if you're G six, power four, the the barrier to entry is to have, like that's the the the low bar is to have facilities. If you don't, y you're not even in the game really. And so Expenses have risen necessarily and dude the universities need money. The F like departments need money. And so that's what's happening. Like this is just the reality of the ecosystem that we're in in college football right now. And so the interesting part about the article today, why ⁓ to make a long story long, is dude, they're they're gonna do it. Like it's happening. Yeah. Like one of the quotes from w what they termed a stakeholder, a C F P stakeholder, so so just take that for whatever you want it to mean, but was if the money is right, it's happening. Which means it's happening. It's happening. Yeah, it's happening. Like they've already had discussions about what the the buyout numbers look like to make the conferences even for losing conference championship games. Like it's coming. And w we need to get used to that reality. And the calendars that I have seen is that conference championship week would functionally become a bye, which means to me that becomes Army Navy Week. And then the following week, which used to be Army Navy week, would then become week one, round one of the playoffs. And then round two of the playoffs would happen the first or the excuse me, the third week in December. So that weekend before Christmas essentially. And then What they're saying is those first two rounds would likely be on campus and then as it is now, quarter semis CFP title game will, you know, go through the same process they're going through now, rotating through the bulls and whatnot. So anyways, d like I said, long story long, but but where are you at on that? I mean, I know you're not surprised, but where do you sit on that? I'm not I'm not surprised at all. I just hope that it's more of the FCS model and they don't have automatic bids. Like each conference has so many automatic bids. I don't want to see that. I want the best. Like they always say they want the best teams in. Well, I don't want to see, you know, even though, you know, we're Georgia fans and we're SEC, you know, so we we obviously want our team in, but I don't want to see the SEC get guaranteed, you know, a third of the field. You know what I mean? Cause that means half the the or, you know, six teams or whatever the structure is i don't want to see that i i just don't you know obviously conference champions get in whatever however that looks and then you know the rest is just the best however that is determined and with these conferences so big now it's really kind of hard to determine like you know the the FCS the conferences are much smaller so it's you know easier to determine because the teams most of them play their full conference as opposed to, you know, you have these mega conferences where, you know, you have nine game schedules and you're playing half the damn conference. So it'll be interesting to see how they structure it. I'm very curious to see that. Like who which, because you know there's going to be the fan bases that are going to be really aggravated that they aren't going to get in, but I don't want it to be a conference that, you know, gets six automatic bids and we're arguing over who's six and seven in the SEC or who's six and seven in the Big Ten. And Like I don't wanna see that. I wanna I want I'd rather be s arguing over, you know, that twenty-four and twenty-five. Like we're arguing over like not arguing, but discussing who the the last four in in the, you know, the basketball tournament are f last four in, la you know, first four out, like stuff like that. I'm more interested in that than ⁓ than the rumored stuff from the summer when they were like, you know, the SEC is gonna get six, the Big Ten's gonna get six, and we're gonna figure it out from there. Like, I don't want that. Yes, I am I I I don't even know that I can express this strongly enough completely against auto bids in certain numbers for the conferences. So yes, conference champion, you're in. Herein lies the problem for me though, to your point, with this super conference structure, we have no real way. To determine a conference champion. So, like this is where the rub is for me is okay, yeah, I get it, like dates wise and calendar wise, we have to remove the conference championship games. But how are we then crowning a champion in the Big Ten, the SEC, the Big Twelve, all these conferences, right? Where the ACC, where you have massive amounts of teams, they're never gonna play around Robin. So you really don't have a true champion. Like, dude, think about ⁓ think about Penn State. Like let's say Penn State took care of all their business and they miss on the schedule Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon. Well, theoretically, based on their record, they are the conference champion. But who who would say, ⁓ yeah, they're the they should be the automatic Big Ten representative, right? Like I saw I I I saw something. I saw something this past summer when this was all being rumored, you know, all the rumors were floating around and some it was it was satire. But you know, everyone was like, you know, you know what would be great? You know, split everything into divisions and you have so you have SEC East and West, and the winners of the divisions get auto-bid. So each conference gets a guaranteed two. So and it basically broke it down into the old conferences. Like you had the Pac-12, you had, you know, the Big Ten and the you had the Big 12 and the SEC. And it was it was funny the way the guy did it. You know, but he broke it down into 18 conferences. And I I just I laughed. I was like, you know, ⁓ so the conferences weren't exactly the same, but it was, you know, pretty much geographical. And ⁓ know, realistically, it's not a terrible idea. They'll never do it, but it's not a terrible idea. The but they're gonna have some auto bid structure which we're gonna hate. ⁓ and we're just gonna have to learn to adjust, which You know, they're gonna change from year to year. So one year it's and then people are gonna be like, ⁓ well, that's not that wasn't fair to so and so last year. And but now it's you know, it's gonna be to benefit some team that got left out that a moneymaker. I I think I think, you know, I mean, look, you know how I feel about it. I think it's so simple if you just make it a math equation. And let's just take the number of teams that are in the FPS level, let's split it into equal conferences and let's make it regional. then you do have round robins, then you do have automatic conference bids, and then you have 10 at large. So like let's say it's 140 FBS teams, you could you could get to that number. And or maybe it is at that number now, but let's say you do 14 10 team conferences and then you have 14 auto bids, 10 at larges, and you roll from there. And like it it's pretty simple that way. My whole premise has always been let's just bring everybody under one FBS hat. have the have us functionally a commissioner of the FBS and then from a TV negotiation window, let's make it the NFL model and we take the 140 team pool and we sell the TV rights as one package instead of how we're doing it now, where we have all these little island nations that are negotiating their own deals, right? And so I mean, I I get it, okay? The the conferences, especially if you're the SCC and the Big Ten You and I have made this comparison a ton. It's no different than the prem, right? Like if I'm one of the what is in the prem, the historic six or the the you know what I'm talking about. Like the the six that have more power than everybody else. That's functionally the SEC in the Big Ten. And so their whole argument is, well, we're putting all the asses in the seats. We make the most money, the viewership is the most for our games, we should make more money. And so look, I okay, I get all that. ⁓ but I still think you could allocate that under one model. where it is a meritocracy. And if you're a member school that's getting the most viewership or whatever you want the metric to be, then you get a bigger piece of the pie. Okay. ⁓ so yeah, I it now obviously that is not happening. So that that's a fantasy that we don't even have to talk about anymore. But I I am interested to see how they construct it. And one of the sticking points has been that if they go to this structure I don't know if it was Greg Sankey or somebody else that put forth, okay, well, if we do this, then everybody has to have ten like power conference games. So we can't you can't be doing a nine game scheduling conference and then play three FCS teams. ⁓ ten ten power four games. Ten power four games. Yeah. I mean I agree with I agree with that. Because it has to be some sort of a level playing field. Yeah. But it's some not a level playing field though. No. Well, here's my other question for you. Given your allegiance with the Dukes and the Sunbelt, is what hap what happens to the G six. So what is the G six representation? Is it going to stay even in a 2014 model? One one bid, G six gets one, and that's that's it. That's that's all that's guaranteed. ⁓ I I mean, dude, look, i this is the other part. We're gonna get we could get into a situation where You've got teams that are in the top twenty four that aren't getting in just like we had last year, right? And so, yeah, I don't know, man. It it's it's a mess because they're what they're trying to do, and this has been the issue with the the postseason expansions thus far, is they keep trying to keep this old model or the remnants of the old model in place and then fit it into this new model that is completely noncompliant with the old model, right? Like Yeah. It's like they want you to drive a Tesla, but they want to build it at the Ford factory. And it's like this doesn't work. Okay. These are two very different products. So let's figure out what we want here and let's build it appropriately. And and they're they're not gonna do it. And I think the other thing is I know you and me are you and me are different. All right. We're not like the majority of college football fans. We are in no way, shape, or form upset about the idea of having a twenty fourteen playoff. And that's mainly because we've seen it. Like that is the FCS model. It works. It's great. It's awesome. The differences understandably come with the traditional postseason structure and everybody's continuous gripes about the regular season mattering and all these things. And we could have a much longer conversation about that. But most people aren't like us. Most people have zero desire for a playoff expansion. Most people didn't want it to go to twelve, right? And so it is a lot of people didn't want it to go to four. I mean, let's be realistic. Thousand percent. Thousand percent. And I I think my thing is is I've I've always been realistic about the money. Like it's just obvious based on the TV deals they've been able to spin out of this that of course they're gonna expand it. It's no different than March Madness expanding out now past sixty eight. Like As long as there's money there to be had, the stakeholders are going to continue to push that expansion envelope. So, like, if we're gonna do it, let's be smart about it and think through it but then do it in a way that's palatable and cool. My issue is they're not gonna do that. They're just gonna ram this square peg into a round hole and like I that I don't love. But unlike the majority of college football fans, I am not opposed to a twenty fourteen postseason structure at all. It's just I'm going to be opposed to how they end up screwing it up. That which is I think the difference. So yeah, that that's kind of where I where I'm at on all that. But so to be determined, but it's coming, y'all. So mentally prepare yourself. Like it is happening and it may happen as soon as next season. So ⁓ I think what did the article say? Did you read any of them today? Like December first? Is that what they were saying? Is kind of the the point where we're gonna have some kind of clarity one way or the other. I think there'll be a it I think there's a decision that has to be in place by then, but we still won't know the structure by then. Like we'll know whether it's happening and then the detail though that'll give them time to still hammer out the actual details. Yeah. Yeah. Well, something something we'll see. Some something to monitor, certainly for all of us that that love the game, but rest assured they will screw it up. I mean, it will not be cool. The way they do it will not be cool. ⁓ I can guarantee you that. So yeah. I do you think do you think at some point they will tear down the structure? Like I think at some point, especially given player comp and whatever ends up happening with Protect College Sports Act, which God, that's a whole nother episode and conversation we could have given how that is progressing this week and whether or not that's the right thing and whether that works well for the sport. ⁓ but I just feel like at some point we're gonna get to a model where there is collective bargaining. There is A player's union. There are all these things that mimic the pro game. And I just wonder once it gets to that point, if the structure of college football will have to be reimagined in a different way. And who is the leader that marshals that is my question. Who who gets us to the eventual place that we are going in college football? I I don't know who that is, but we need someone. We need someone with vision and we need someone who can build consensus on what's going to be best for the game moving forward. I I don't know who that is, but I'm hoping somebody steps up because don't you just feel like for the last let's even just go all the way back to COVID since since COVID, we've just been wandering through the wilderness trying to figure it out as we go. And it ain't working, homie. I feel I feel like we're just treading water and all their All they're thinking about is the bottom line. They're not thinking about the product on the field, which let's be honest though, the product has been really good. Really good on the field. Really good. But the it's the schedule has been terrible. ⁓ like basically it's we we talked about this last year. It's two separate seasons. You've got the regular season, which is amazing, and then you've got the playoffs, which is just this clunky, disorganized. thing because of how they have to have the New Year's six structured in. And there's just no flow to it. And I feel like it's it's just two seasons right now. If they can ever get it to where it's flows as one again, I think it'll be I think it'll be amazing. but and and also, you know, like you said, it's all about the money. That's why this is happening. That's all they've been thinking about for the last really forever, but you know, more so since COVID. And until that really takes a backseat and they think about the product itself and what they're delivering. I think we're going to continue to see stuff like this. We're going to see one year changes, band-aids on bullet holes, and then they're going to change it back. But once you pull the rabbit out of the head and you go to that 24 team playoff, it's going to be really hard to go back. You can't, you can't go back. You're not going to be able to reduce it to 16. You're stuck at 24 at them. So you're going to have to constantly restructure within that 24 to fix it. If they don't get it right the first time, which let's face it, they're not. No, and they're not because they're they're they're rushing. Like there there is no, I think this has been my issue, is there's no forethought. There is no plan. There's no let's let's find consensus and build consensus among everybody involved. It's just let's find the biggest payday. And if I am the biggest stakeholder and the person with the most power to wield. I'm just gonna throw my weight around and make sure as much of that money gets in mine and my member institutions' pockets as possible. And like that's part of the problem is we're still functioning, like I said, in an old model that doesn't work in this new system. And so I don't know, man. The inevitably they're gonna screw it up. And to your point, that the sad thing about that is the product, the actual football has been awesome. And I think the drama and the storylines and all the things have been great. And like in so many ways, the game is as healthy as it's ever been. But when it comes to a governance perspective and a regulatory perspective, it's as sick as it's ever been. Which is just an interesting dichotomy that that exists currently. So well, it is what it is. We'll see what happens on that. Obviously, way above you and I's pay grade. They don't really care what these two chuckleheads are talking about. But ⁓ anyways, let's talk about Things that did happen on the field. So favorite things for you that happened during the action in week four? I mean, the the end of that Iowa Michigan game was just bonkers. Michigan dominated that game and the fact they lost is just unreal. ⁓ w Wisconsin Penn State, you know, I mean Penn State again dominated that game and then Wisconsin pulls it out late with a I how did that play happen? Like the Iowa play, at least you can see how it happened. How does that play happen where that guy is so wide open then? Just runs down the field wide open and then no one's I mean, I I still don't know how it happened. I'm dumbfounded. Yeah. I mean, that was amazing. ⁓ so Mississippi State, you know, ⁓ I think that they're like our darlings so far as the beginning of the season. ⁓ but I I think the story of last week for me is Dylan Ryola. you know, yep. I mean, it wasn't so much that he came in and they won. It was how he played. That was the best he's looked in his entire career. I know USC is not known for their defense, but he had commanded. I watched that, I watched that game. He had commanded the offense. He was very accurate. He was, I he looked in control. He looked confident for the first time. He wasn't trying to do too much. He just played within the offense. He looked like what everyone expected him to be. For me, that was the story of Sad. And I mean, there was multitude of stories, but for everything I saw, that was the biggest story for me. That's a great pull. I mean, and and to your point, number one, it was important. But yeah. I mean, in so in so many ways, after how they looked in Stillwater, Oregon had been left for dead. And to go into a enormous conference road game against USC, a game you have to have, you lose your starter on the dirtiest of dirty hits and your backup's got to come in and do it. And ⁓ by the way, your backup was the most sought after quarterback recruit in the country a couple of years back and had, I think we would all agree, a disappointing as it pertains to everyone's expectations, ⁓ start to his college career in Lincoln. The flip side of that is, boy If you're an Oregon fan or an Oregon supporter or if you're part of that organization that built that roster, you look like roses now, don't you? Because you've got a kid that's capable and has seen plenty of live bullets before and you don't really have to miss a beat. Because here's the thing, you're starting to hear murmurs out out out of Eugene that look, it's a concussion, right? And Dante's got NFL aspirations and they're not gonna mess with that. And so this could be one of these things where, you know, for the good of the kid and the good of his future, dude, they're not gonna be like, hey, let's rush you back. Let's get you back in three weeks or whatever. And so this may be a deal where Dylan Raoula has to step in and carry the load for the ducks. And s in some ways you wonder, is that how he looks when he can play free? When he can play absent expectation? And obviously that's all going to change now because he's gonna be the guy for the foreseeable future, but he looked great. And their offense looked great. I mean they They really dominated that game after he came in. And so ⁓ that it'll be fascinating to watch. But dude, that's a that's a great point. And you are right. ⁓ Mississippi State's an incredible story. And it look, if you're a fan of the sport, how can you not love Camario Taylor's story? Number one, dude's a hometown kid. Like his high school's twenty nine miles from Davis Wade Stadium. And so talking about guy that stayed home, that wants to play for that university. I can't imagine there is a prouder fan base in all of these United States than Mississippi State fans. And certainly, you know, I feel like this is the amazing thing about a fan base like that, too. It's it's not as if they're in the national title hunt every year. But it does not sway the passion. It does not lessen the fervor. And so it's cool for a fan base like that to have this right now. And look, man. They got a measure and stick on Saturday, right? Like Big Bad Alabama and Alabama got themselves a quarterback too that is awful exciting to watch. And so to see them square off is going to be super fun. I will say the part about the Mississippi State story that I have found interesting that I've enjoyed is number one, you've got Zach Arnett's return as defensive coordinator, which is it's kind of fun, right? Like and not much different than ⁓ Gosh, I'm gonna forget his name now. Who's the cat that was the head coach at Virginia Tech that stayed on James Franklin's staff to be deported? Brent Pry, right. Like, so th that's cool to to I just like it because it's and it I'm sure the money helps, but the the lack of ego involved in being able to do that is cool. And then to see them have success, like Mississippi State's defense, number one, Zach Arnett and his scheme put Lenore Sellers in a pretzel. Two weeks ago in Columbia. Yeah. And they looked really good again last weekend. And so that's been fun to watch. And then also, selfishly, just because we saw him at his first stop in Athens, like, dude, seeing Anthony Evans start to transcend has been cool. I think you've you always knew when you saw him that that was in there. Like he he has that talent. What a catch last weekend, my friend. Like Peter Parker Society invitee faux show. Like that catch was unbelievable. And then one of the cooler names in sports, Fluff Bothwell at the running back position. Like, come on with it. Dude, they're I they're they're just a ton of fun. So I think that's gonna be an incredible game to watch this weekend and we'll pick it pick it later. But yeah, that one's awesome. And then ⁓ yeah, man, it's just it it it has just been such a fun start to the year. Like, as it always does, college football never disappoints. Like I feel like it's always ripe with these cool stories and fun things that are happening. And then to go back to the Oregon thing with Oklahoma State. How about Oklahoma State, right? Yeah. Left for dead after losing to Tulsa, have a big win over Oregon, which everybody then flips around and says, Well, ⁓ Oregon must stink because Oklahoma State beat him. Well, now Oklahoma State's kind of what we thought they might be. And the opener starts to be more and more of a head scratcher. Big win last weekend. They go into Morgantown playing a really good and revived West Virginia team with Rich Rodriguez leading the way. Dude, they looked awesome. Like Drew Mestermaker looks great. They look really good. And so a lot of fun storylines. Minnesota goes to ⁓ goes to Washington and gets a big road win. You got PJ Fleck wiping blood on his face. Like, God, this sport is drunk in so many ways and it's outstanding. Yeah, Oklahoma State looked great. That was a fun game. And it's it's fun seeing West Virginia be really good again. I mean, I won't say they're they're great, but seeing like them tie flying on offense again, seeing Richrod back on the sidelines. It's I think it's good for the sport when West Virginia is really good w is good and entertaining. Yeah. ⁓ so that was really that was a really fun game. What is going on in Washington? Like that. Like we talked about I talked about them a little bit when they struggled against Utah State when they won by two points. Like their offense just looks Damon Williams looks like he doesn't want to be there. He looks like he was fully checked out, ready to be LSU's quarterback. And then, you know, all that legal stuff happened and he ended up staying. So it's just this something's not right there. And I I feel kind of bad for Jedfish 'cause I mean, you know, we really like him on this show and he seems like All intents and purposes, it seems like a pretty cool dude and good guy, but he's got his hands full there. So, ⁓ you know, that's something to watch the rest of the season. But I mean, that game was not close. I mean, I know the score ended up looking pretty close, but Washington got a late touchdown to make that's that score a lot closer than it was. Yeah, it's it's hard too, because man, I I never can root against PJ Fleck in Minnesota and the and the row the boat crew. Like I I've wanted them to do well and then interacting with that group at Big Ten Media Days, it's made it even more difficult because like PJ in person is exactly what I think you and I always assumed he was. Like he is a live wire and just BYOJ, man. Bring your own juice. Like he is ready to rip at all times. And like I asked Drake Lindsay about that. Like is he is this how he is? Like what it is this a like a front or is this how he is? And he's like, this is literally how he is all the time. And so I don't know. It's just ⁓ Yeah, man, I I like their team a ton. ⁓ I'm gonna mess up his NAS name, but but the linebacker that he got the blood from, Maverick Barnowski, is that how you say his last name? I think so, yeah. You know how him you know how I'm with names. He was at he was at Big Ten Media Media Days too. Him and ⁓ it was two of them, Drake Lindsey, Antie Smith, like good group. And so you kind of figured all those guys have been in the program, upperclassmen, good leadership group that maybe they'd have a chance. So they've got another big one this weekend. And the road doesn't get any easier, but yeah, man. Row the boat for sure. ⁓ I'm trying to think I th there was something else I wanted to talk to you about from the weekend that I really liked and I'm trying to think what it was now. ⁓ gosh, I can't think. I fell asleep watching games at like quarter to twelve on Saturday night, but There's something begrudgingly we ha we have to talk about. How good Florida is? I I I texted you. I was like, Is Florida good? Yeah, like I know I know Ole Miss's defense is not great against the run, but but their their two headed monster running back and then Philo running the I mean Buster Faulkner's offense. I mean, we've said this forever, is if they can get a quarterback to run it, which Haynes King was really good running it, they're good. I mean, that offense is hard to stop because they're really good with misdirection. If you're not disciplined on defense, it's hard to stop. And I mean, their offense was, I mean, they ran through Ole Miss like they were not there. I mean, it was basically like, you know, ⁓ they were playing eleven on seven ball game long. I mean, they were people were running wide open. They were seven yards down the field before they were touched running the ball. And I mean, you know, we're no fans of Florida by any means, but football college football is better when Florida's good. Yeah, man. Plus like, dude, John Simmer, John Simmerald can coach. Like part. Like that guy that guy can coach. We weren't exactly in zero when he got that job. We were hoping for goal is Yeah. He was, I mean, he's I think he's a great fit there. And I I don't think any of us ever argued they had a roster problem. It was getting the most out of the roster that has been the problem for a long time. And thus far they've not had that issue. Now, it's early, right? So there's still a lot left to be seen. ⁓ I think if they get matched up with somebody who's stout on the defensive line and can stop the run, and you say, Hey, Aaron Father's gotta beat us, okay, we'll see what happens, right? And I think we also we need to see how locked down their defense can be. So I think all those things are interesting. And dude, they got an interesting game weekend. They gotta go to Columbia and play Mizzou. And ⁓ Mizzou obviously had a tough game against Mississippi State last weekend, but Austin Simmons has been playing well, so I think that'll be a fun game. I mean, UF's pretty big road favorite considering all all things considered, like five and a half points favorite on the road's pretty good in the SEC. So the desert likes the Gators for sure. And dude, that Jaden Baugh is the real deal holding feet. Like he has grown. So they're good, man. And they and they got some guys on defense too. Like they they're good. So ⁓ yes, begrudgingly. But They are like real recognized real. They're they're good. And if they continue to play like they're playing, man, it's gonna make just so much intrigue around the cocktail party at the Benz come Halloween. So Which is weird all to itself. Super weird. Super weird. It is terribly weird. ⁓ Well, I mean, at least ⁓ you know, I mean, I don't know. It's all weird. It is all weird. ⁓ All right, let's pick some games. ⁓ let's talk about the stuff going on this week. Another slate that I like. Some fun games just given how the early season has gone, and we're gonna lead off with one of them that I don't think we probably would have expected would be this, but two four and ⁓ teams going to face off and dance against each other on Friday night in Blacksburg. Pitt and Virginia Tech. Who to thunk it, right? James Franklin got the boys playing. Ethan Ethan Grunkmeyer has been really, really good. ⁓ now. I certainly think this is their first real measuring stick. ⁓ and maybe for Pitt too. ⁓ I I thought the Syracuse win for Pitt was good, but I'm biased on that. We love Fran. But ⁓ Mason Heinschel's been awesome. And ⁓ yeah, I just dude, I think this is a fun game. Tech is a two and a half point home favorite. Lane Stadium is going to be a time on Friday night. Like night game, inner Sandman. They're good for the first time in a while, or at least are presenting as good. I just think that place is gonna be bonkers, man. And so, ⁓ yeah, I mean, ⁓ you also have, I think, two coaches whose bugaboo recently has been, can we get over the hump? Right? Like, can we win a big game when it matters? And so we're fixing to see on Friday night. Where you at on this? For Grow Gently, I'm gonna take tech. it's the stadium, it's a night game. If this was three o'clock on Saturday, I'd go pit. ⁓ Lane Stadium is one of the, you know, it's it it has a reputation, but I remember going there for the first time in high school and I went to a Thursday night game, and it was one of those just holy crap, this is awesome. And it just does it's very it doesn't look like it's going to be as loud as it is. And it is, it's an it's an awesome experience. So I'm gonna go, I'm gonna take tech, I'm gonna lay the points. ⁓ and you know, I'm begrudgingly because of my, my, my love for James Franklin. Yes. Yes, your your undying affection for Coach Franklin. ⁓ that's really funny. I will say, and people I it's interesting, man. Like at ACC kickoff, I feel like people were kind of Almost annoyed with him. I thought his energy was awesome. And I thought this is kind of what tech needs is somebody that's a breath of fresh air and somebody that's exciting and has done it at other places. Cause like say what you want. Like he was successful at a Vandy program at a time and it was super, super difficult to be successful at Vandy. You walk into a situation at Penn State is obviously I mean, I know they were post scandal post Bill O'Brien and so Bill O'Brien should get a ton of the credit for that, but it's not like Penn State was the Penn State we grew up with. You know what I'm saying? And so I do think he is good at building a culture and like building a belief now. Remains to be seen if he can execute the last piece of it. But yeah, like I said, I I thought people were real like, I don't know, cynical about how he was at ACC kickoff. And I I was like, dude, I think the energy's great. And the kids seem fired up, and obviously that has borne itself out as true thus far. I'm gonna take Pitt. I like this Pitt team. I like Mason Heinschel a lot. You know how the offensive corner is at Pitt? Turwin Bell's son, Cade Bell. Really? And he's done a really nice job. Yeah. And ⁓ I talked to Mason a little bit at ACC kickoff about his relationship with Cade Bell, and he said they had a great rapport. You know, we're in lockstep, we're all collaborative about stuff. And he's just looked really comfortable in that offense thus far this season. I thought he was outstanding in the game against Syracuse. Just a lot of moxie, doing things with his feet. I just good player. Plus, I think I'm on his team too, because he dropped a Ted Lasso quote at ACC kickoff and I asked him what his mindset was. He said, Gotta be a goldfish. Gotta be a goldfish. I said, Ted Lasso. Yeah, I could get on board with this pop culture reference basin. So good on you. ⁓ so yeah, I'll take Pitt. But I think it's gonna be a great game. I think this is just like we talked about earlier, this is good for college football. That these two teams are good. I think if you've ever been to those places, if you've ever been to Blacksburg, if you've ever been to Morgantown, if you've ever been in Pittsburgh when Pitts good. Like, especially if you've ever been to a backyard brawl. It's good for college football when those programs are playing good football because God, those fan bases love those teams. And so yeah, man, I think this is going to be a ton of fun, especially a Friday night. What a what a great little appetizer before Saturday. ⁓ all right, another Friday night game, which is really on here for a couple reasons. For both teams, all right, but Penn State short week, quick turnaround after the heartbreaker on Saturday, going north of Chicago to Northwestern. Dude, Northwestern looks pretty good. Like, looks like a competent football team. And I just think this could be an interesting ballgame. Like, Aiden Childs has looked really good in Chip Kelly's offense. They gave Indiana all they wanted. Like, I dude, they're interesting. David Boss seems like got the boys believing. Like, brand new stadium, a little bit of juice. ⁓ I wouldn't exactly call Penn State an offensive juggernaut, which I don't think you nor I are surprised about that. That certainly wasn't Matt Campbell's MO at Iowa State. ⁓ I think they want a blue collar, bloody the nose, let's look you eye to eye and grind it out type stuff. Like I still I don't know. I think it's a fun little game, man. So Penn State, two and a half point road favorite at brand new Ryan Field. Where are you feeling on this? I like Northwestern in this. Penn State has looked less than Stellar. I mean, it's the offense. The defenses look good. The defense has been ⁓ good enough, it minus that ridiculous play against Wisconsin at the end of the game. ⁓ the defense has been good enough, but the offense has just been it. ⁓ Matt Campbell's running a 1990s offense in 2026. ⁓ and we will I like Matt Campbell. I really do. I just feel like that he's trying to he needs to adapt a little bit. There's just not there's no there's no juice on that offense at all. and I like Rocco too, and he just looks completely out of place on ⁓ in in this. This year. Like he he looks nothing like he did the last couple of seasons. So I'm gonna take Northwestern. I mean, I it in this type of game, you know, which quarterback do I trust more? And I trust Aiden Chiles more. So I'm gonna go with Northwestern. Yeah, I think I'm with you. I think I'm gonna take Northwestern too. And it's very much about the quarterback play. Aiden Chiles has just looked super comfortable in Chip Kelly's scheme. I think his skill set lends itself to how Chip wants to call plays. And they've looked good, man. Like ⁓ it's not like they fluked into being in that ball game against Indiana. Like the scheme was good. They they executed well. And I think that gives them an advantage. Also, they're playing at home. And so I think there's something to that. I'm with you too. I there's just that Penn State offense just has not looked crisp. And for me, that's not necessarily brand new because if you watched Iowa State last year. They had that clunkiness to them, right? Where they could go spurts where that offense is going nowhere and is just stuck in the mud and I I think that offense lacks explosiveness and it lacks verticality. And so you get in a situation where for them to score, it's gotta be plug, plug, plug, grind it out. And like, dude, you gotta have some explosives. Like you gotta shorten the field a little bit. And ⁓ yeah, I don't know. So this is a pick for Northwestern. It's also kind of a pick against Penn State, just given how the offense has looked. But again, I think it's a fun game. Two fun games on a Friday night. Sign me up. I'm here for it. right. All right. Saturday, we talked about this a little bit. Dude, Bama traveling to Starkful. ⁓ cowbells are gonna be rocking. I think if anything, you kinda gotta feel a little bit fortunate if you're Bama, like early start for this game. I think flip side, if it was a night game and they got all day to get tuned up in Stark Vegas, like that place could be rocking. 'Cause what is it gonna be? It's eleven o'clock local. Is that what the start is? Eleven o'clock local. Yeah. Eleven o'clock local, like ⁓ quick turn, man. ⁓ but I think this is fun. Two of the more compelling quarterbacks of the season thus far. Because absent Comario Taylor's star shining as brightly as it has, Keelan Russell may be the story of the year in the SEC, no? I don't know. I definitely think he is. ⁓ he's been s I mean, once again, begrudgingly, he's been spectacular. So really, really good. ⁓ really, really good. Yeah, so where do you sit on this? Obama's five and a half point road favorite. Why the hell is this game at noon? Like No idea. This makes sense. Yeah. And I think if they've pre selected one of these games. So like if you look at some of the games and what you thought it would have been preseasoned, you go, okay, well like I could get that. Like, are we really gonna get that excited about Alabama, Mississippi State? Given what it'd be if you look at the SEC's the SEC slate this week, why is What's the night game? It's L S U, right? That seven forty five SEC network game? Yeah. But are they playing McNece State? Yeah, something ridiculous. Like I know that I know that's not typically like a a big a big game, but this is still much more intriguing as an SEC game than that. Sure. ⁓ I don't know. I could go on for 10 minutes about why this game this game being at noon. This makes no sense. There's multiple better games to be you even 330, anything better than th this game being at noon. ⁓ I I'm gonna take Mississippi State. ⁓ I I I'm very curious to see how ⁓ Camario plays against this defense. Cause I as good as Keelan Russell has been this year, I think it's Alabama's defense that's been really the most impressive part of their team. ⁓ Keelan Russell's really opened up the running game a lot with with his legs, and which Alabama had no semblance of a running game last year. And I think that really hindered them. But their their ability on defense has been to shut teams down, has been really has been much improved compared to what it was in Caleb Bohr's first two seasons. So I think that I'm really curious to see how he's going to play, but I five and a half points at home. I think this is a three, four point game. So ⁓ I'm gonna take Mississippi State. I am also going to take Mississippi State. This is purely on heart. This has nothing to do with logic. ⁓ I do think Alabama is going to win the football game. I just think That given the atmosphere, given the juice, given how much confidence Camario Taylor is playing with. And here's the other thing Camario Taylor has been transcendent. Okay. But he has also got weapons that fit what he's able to do. And I think their ability to stretch the field is what makes them so dynamic. And given how many problems Florida State's offense gave Alabama's defense with, I would argue, lesser offensive talent. It makes me think Mississippi State could have themselves a day. ⁓ now look, the X factor in this is how does the Zach Arnet defense we talked about earlier stand up now against the best quarterback that they have seen thus far, and certainly the best talent and wide receiver they have seen thus far. So yeah, I I if I was them, I think you want to do some things where A, you're getting pressure on Keelan Russell, but I think the Double edged sword with that is getting pressure, but also maintaining contain to not allow him to get outside the pocket. So that's tough. And then I think the bigger thing is th they have to do some stuff, whether it's eye candy or whether it's sexy looks, but they have got to disguise some things and confuse him and and force him into some turnovers. I think that is how they win the game if they were to win it. I just I don't know if that's gonna happen. So What a win though it would be for Jeff Levy. And yeah, no kidding. I mean, Stark Vegas would be whew unbelievable on Saturday night if they were to pull it off. But dude, what a great way to start today. Like I think this could be I don't know. I'm just gonna say it. I think it's the most fun game of the day. Of the weekend. Yeah. This game. I think so too. And I don't know that it's close. The only one I'll make an argument for is in the People's Division, South Dakota State and Illinois State, which we'll talk about later. But at the FBS level, at the Empire level, we'll take We'll pick the rebel lover later. ⁓ okay, next one on the list. ⁓ this is where game day's going, going to Iowa City, Ohio State, playing the Hawkeyes. Hawkeyes coming off a huge last second win against Michigan last weekend. Ohio State is a fourteen and a half point road favorite, which seems like a huge number unless you've seen these two teams play offense. And then I think it makes perfect sense. But ⁓ where are you at on this? Not to allude to my pick or anything. Yeah, I mean I really want to pick Iowa. I really do. Because their defense is like I I really want to, but then I watched them play defense last week and I saw Michigan, who I feel like is in nepted offense, put up over 430 yards. And then I mean Ohio State just, you know, feels like they can do that in the first half against most teams. So I'm gonna take Ohio State. I don't like it. I I I don't like to pick Ohio State. It's not that I don't like the pick. I don't like to pick Ohio State. But I I don't like to give I don't like to give play fourteen and a half points on the road, especially in again in Iowa. But I'm gonna take Ohio State. I think they're I think I don't think this game's gonna be close. I think this is like a forty two fourteen type game because Iowa's offense is just not good. Yeah, I I think that's where I have the biggest the biggest pause is this just feels like a game where ⁓ where Ohio State could score twenty one points in a quarter. And I just think it gets really, really tricky, really, really quick. Also, how should we say this? Let's just say on the Iowa defense. There will be a lot of opportunities for Julian Saiyan to make milk checks when it comes to matchups for his wide receivers. No kidding. No kidding. Lotta milk checks out there. Okay, boys. And so that also Paul Cooper Dejean. So No, they are not, my friend. So ⁓ let's just say that bodes well for the Buckeyes, in my opinion, offensively. I think it could be a large, large offensive output for the Buckeys. Now, I'm with you. I would be delighted to pick Iowa and maybe more importantly, delighted to watch them do something stunning. I just don't know if it's gonna happen. Like Yeah, I don't see it. I just man, I don't see it. Like the fourteen and a half feels kind of right. This feels like a seventeen point game to me. Like I don't know. It it the other part is man Are are we really taking a Hank Brown led offense to beat the Buckeyes? I I don't know, homie. Like that feels like a bridge too far to cross. Yeah. I agree. I I don't know if I can. I think I think asking them to score seventeen points with a Hank Brown led offense is a lot. I couldn't agree more. Like, and here's the thing, dude. When are we just gonna have a conversation that Michigan stinks? ⁓ like This is, I feel like, part of the conversation we haven't had. Now, let me flip something around on you, okay? Even if Iowa were to lose this game, do you want to hear their schedule the rest of the way? ⁓ it's it's the trigs of the Big Ten. Dude, so they go, all right, look, two spicy little games after Ohio State. They play they play at Washington, at Minnesota. Like, okay, that's a little spicy, both both road matchups. I'm not yeah, it's at Washington, but Washington the way Washington has looked. Like, if they don't it I I don't I don't really consider that as spicy as you would think. I I think that that could be like a you know noon local game for them. And I think that that, you know, the way their schedule is. So ⁓ I think the at Minnesota game is spicy. Yes, very spicy. Then you got Wisconsin, Northwestern, Purdue, Illinois, Nebraska. Like, homie, there is a path there to eleven and one for sure. Okay. Well, maybe not. I I I I'm still very, very lukewarm on their offense, if that's not clear. But yeah. Their defense is good. Yeah, their defense is always this is the story of Iowa every season. You know, they set back offense 20 years. Just not equipped for Ohio State. Okay. That's a different that's a different question. Okay. Yeah. A lot of milk checks. Hashtag milk check. ⁓ All right, so we're both on the buckeyes on that one for sure. Now, we talked about this one a little bit earlier. Florida going to Columbia, play Mizzou. Florida five and a half point road favorite here. How you feeling on this? I know you like Eli. I hate this game. I hate this game. Is this ⁓ this is the first time they've played since the the stupid Back and forth d Dan Mullen, Darth Vader, and then the next season where they won't like that's that this is the first time they played since that, I think. ⁓ Is that right? I'm pretty sure. I don't think they played during Napier's tenure. I can't. If they did it was once. If they did it was once. It wasn't much. I ⁓ I forgot that that happened. I I cannot believe he came out in full Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader. Unbelievable. I know Eli hates yes, what did the Eli hates this team. ⁓ I know it's it's two coaches removed, but he still hates this team. It's in Columbia, it's I this is one of the 330 games, isn't it? I'm pretty sure this is one of the three thirty games. I'm pretty sure that's right. I think it's this one in Auburn, Tennessee. ⁓ Yes, that's exactly right. Auburn, Tennessee is the ESPN three thirty game. That's right. I am gonna take I I think Florida's gonna win this game. I think Florida coming off the huge win. And this is not to say that Florida didn't dominate the dominated again, but I think that's played into part of Ole Miss last week. Ole Miss coming off the huge win against LSU. And then having to go on the road against a against a good team. And they kind of get they got punched in the face and, you know, they couldn't they didn't couldn't come back from it. I think that might happen a little bit to Florida this week. ⁓ So I'm gonna take Mizzou and the points. I think Florida's gonna win the game, but I think it's gonna be a lot closer than everyone thinks. All right, brief pivot before I pick this game, but you talked about Tennessee, and so then it got my brain talking about Tennessee, Texas, which we probably should have talked about this earlier. But homie, Texas had 10 sacks. Ten. Yeah. Five by Colin Simmons. Ten sacks. Okay, let's talk about that for a second. ⁓ Five sacks. And because he mimicked pulling his junk out and peeing on the field, he didn't get defensive player of the week. Absent that, I have to think he would have gotten defensive player of the week. Which then begs the question that I have for you, which is should doing a celebration where you mimic pulling your junk out and peeing on the field disqualify you from being defensive player of the week when you have five sacks? I d Okay, okay. I'm got I gotta gather my thoughts here on this. What the hell is wrong with him? It wasn't that he did it, which is the it wasn't that he did it, which is idiotic into himself. It's the fact he looked around like, what? What'd I do? What do you mean? What did you do? You just whipped your you basically mimicked whipping your pecker out and taking a piss on the field. What do you mean, you moron? Like I I'm sorry. It was the look on his face because you could clearly see it through his visor. Like, what do you mean? I ⁓ my God. I I like I wasn't watching the game at that time. I was doing something, and my wife was like, like yelled at the TV and was like, you gotta see this. So I came in and rewound it to see it. And I was just like, ⁓ my God. Yeah. So then I get a text because I'm at my son's soccer game and I get a text from Jimmy. Wait till you see. What Simmons just did? So then I'm like, what the hell just happened? So I'm like getting on Twitter, like, what's going on? And then I see it, I'm like, no way. No way. My God. But d I can't I can't This game is this game is not sober. The college football is not sober. That's the long interesting The best thing was the best thing was is that the refs the refs thing the refs announcement was hysterical. One of the commentators said, Well, when I use the bathroom, my hand doesn't go down that low. I am shut up. I didn't see that. I swear to God. I swear to God, I almost died. I have to find that clip. Who said that? I have no idea. I don't even know who was calling the game. Like it was, it caught me so off guard. I was like, did he just actually say that? I have got to find that. ⁓ my god, that's hilarious. Dude, I thought that was the Fowler Herb Street game. God, I swear to God, maybe it was somebody doing a replay of it. I swear to God that I heard that and I had to rewind it because that was shown so many times. That was the Fowler Herb Street game. You're right, it was the Fowler Herb Street game. There is no way Kirk Herbstreet said that. There is no way it might have been Fowler. He was on fire that game. He may hey he was really funny. That is I did I did not see that. That is ho I have to find that now because that is hilarious. ⁓ God, I told you man, this game is it's not sober. College football is drunk on so many levels. Okay. ⁓ back to the UF Mizzou game. I'm gonna take Florida. I don't even know what I need to say about that 'cause I'm still stuck ⁓ God. That's that's we'll just leave it at that. I'm taking Florida. Okay. Florida's gonna cover. I like Mizzou. I like Austin Simmons. I don't think they're as good as Florida. That's that. Okay. ⁓ Okay, I put this on here for a couple of reasons. One, so we could talk about North Dakota State. Two, did you see that they announced a rivalry trophy for this matchup? I believe it's called what did they call this? Like the ⁓ hold on, I'm just gonna look it up. 'Cause I don't wanna mess it up. Okay, let's look here. North Dakota State, Wyoming. Trophy. It's like the basin trophy or something. Wait till I tell you what this thing is. I f I saw a picture of it fine today. ⁓ here we go. Battle of the Basins trophy. Homie, this trophy is a ten inch drill bit. That's what they drill into the earth with. I'm like, yep. In. Now. Now. Let's just put this in perspective. On the electricity scale, is it even remotely close? To the roaster trophy from the New Mexico, New Mexico State game. That was it is absolutely not. That is fire. Like, I mean, catapulted itself into the rankings trophy pantheon, like, or rivalry trophy pantheon. It's awesome. This one, still good, just not that good. Okay. But now I want you to see it, so you have to watch the game. But I do want to talk about North Dakota State, all right. If you look at their schedule. Very, very realistic chance to go undefeated. Yes. And so my question then becomes with them: is winning the Mountain West and going undefeated enough to get you the G six spot? And then I want to throw a couple other ones at you. Let's say Oregon State is ten and two. And their only and it's Pac twelve champ and their only losses are to Texas Tech and Houston who end up playing each other in the Big Twelve title game and both go to the playoffs. Okay? We'll put that in the equation. Let's flip it around and say that Boise State is eleven and one and their only loss is to Oregon, who writes the ship and finishes the season well. I don't think they have enough juice to get in, do you? No. I can't r I I Not gonna remember the name of the article, but I read an article and said that going undefeated as a G six, you it has to be more than that because Yeah, it does. You have to look at strength of schedule. You have to look, I mean, it has to be who you played and not just and it has to be how you win as well. You have to dominate the teams you play. and especially, you know, and I think we talked about this in in our preview episode or like cause you were asking about army and navy. And I was like, you know, they could go undefeated, but if they don't have ⁓ no, you I mentioned if the only loss was to Notre Dame. And I was like, it has to be close because if they get blown out and then they go they go like eleven and one the rest of the season and they win their conference. But let's say a team goes like Boise goes eleven and one or t ten and two and they have a close loss to Oregon and then a close loss to a conference game, they're probably gonna go with Boise, or I think I was talking about UNLV at that point. ⁓ Because of the schedule, the strength of schedule. So I I really d I don't think they do. I mean, I think I think they got a good shot at going undefeated, but I don't think they do. I think what they have to root for is chaos. ⁓ to your point to your point, I think they have to win the Mountain West gaudily. Like, I think they need to put up as many points as possible in every one of these games. 'Cause to your point, man, if you go through this schedule, you're talking Wyoming UNLV who's been very underwhelming. Nevada, New Mexico's the one you circle. I think it is a good New Mexico team, but you're also talking about a New Mexico team that's without its starting quarterback for this entire season. So you kind of put an asterisk on that. Utep, Hawaii, Northern Illinois, who's really bad, and then San Jose State. And so like what what game on that schedule do you look back to and go, ⁓ yeah, there's the signature. There's the one we should take ⁓ And then again, I just think if you're a ten and two Oregon State team or you're an eleven eleven and one Boise State team out of the pack twelve, I think you got real good arguments. And what is dude, ⁓ who's who's JMU's out of conference? ⁓ somebody below them, like Weaver State or something. And so they they don't have ⁓ San Diego State. ⁓ okay. So they don't have Which is terrible who's terrible. Yeah, so they don't have like an opportunity to go somewhere and get a FBS win that's like a feather in the cap. They don't. Yeah. They're they're in the same boat. They're in the same boat North Dakota State is. They'll need chaos like what happened last year, where a a team wins a conference that has like a eight and five record, like Duke winning the ACC. They would need something like that to where there's a the guaranteed group of ⁓ group of six spot and then a second group of six spot can get in because of that. 'Cause There's only three power four getting in. They need something like that. Yeah. Yeah. And again, I just man, I just don't know what the math is going to add up on that. Because let's go sorry, we're off on a tangent here, but I'm just interested. Let's go look at ⁓ let's go look at the let's go look at the American. And like who could well okay. So let's let's talk about maybe an undefeated South Florida. Who do they have that could be a feather in the cap when ⁓ see, they don't have one either. Like Yeah. Yeah, I i this is wild to say, but I think I think the Pac twelve, it's the Pac twelve's bid to lose if I was having a handicap it. Yeah. Yeah. I mean I think that's where it I think that's where it's gonna come from. I think last year did more harm for the G six than did to help it. Yep. I would I would agree with that, unfortunately, but that that I think is true. But yeah, man, I mean you're looking at ⁓ w which to your point, which is interesting, is Boise State's case becomes we have the best loss against a power power four opponent. Do you think it'll ever get to the point to where the Pac twelve or, you know, one of these G six ⁓ conferences becomes another power conference? ⁓ that's a good point. Or it's a good question. ⁓ I think it's resource driven. I think that Yeah, I know it's all money, but do you think it could ever get to that point? Maybe. I think here's my thing, okay. And this isn't a Pac twelve question, this kinda goes the Mountain West. I think North Dakota State is a bit of a sleeping giant. And I think the more success they have at the FBS level, the greater opportunity there is for funding. And I think they've shown That number one, they have something that you can't buy. And that's culture. And they have an expectation to win. And I think that's a big deal. And so if you take that inherent culture and add resources to it, which I think they have the ability to do, and then you start getting some team. I think the other thing they're gonna run into is if I'm in a power forecamps, why do I wanna play North Dakota State? How does that benefit me? And so they're gonna run the risk of. Well, what the hell do want us to do? Well, we're trying to schedule people. We can't. So we beat the bejesus out of the people on our schedule and you still won't give us a dance card. And so I think that's what their rub's gonna be. So they're in an interesting I think they're gonna have to move conference. I mean, I I don't know if you saw JMU's looking to switch conferences. I saw that. I saw they're trying to dance with the American, which I think is smart for JMU. I think it is smart. I think JMU should move conferences. And I think if you're the American, you'd be idiotic not to take JMU. But that's a whole nother conversation. To your point though, I do think in the Pac twelve, there's possibility. You know, you've got Washington State, you've got Oregon State, you've got Boise State. Like there's there is potential there. I think the Pac twelve's problem in its current iteration is that the rest of the conference really, really lacks that sexiness factor. You don't really have brands. I I just I I think it's tough there to where they have the let's just say brand capital to get to a spot where they're in that upper echelon. And look, fact of the matter is with all of this, it's no different than how the power four conferences got to where they are today. You're talking about T V markets, right? And so what are the T V markets in those conferences? And so I th I think that's that ends up being your rub. But yeah. That's a long way to answer your question, but that's kind of where I sit on it. It's good question. Really good question. I just I I think that eventually the one will, especially with this eventual twenty fourteen playoff. I think one will. I think we'll end up with at least one more power conference, quote unquote, and then we'll have the G five again. I think that that's what it'll end up being. I don't know which I mean the it it the Pac twelve is the obvious choice, but it could ⁓ it could be the Mount West. I mean it I mean hell, it could be the American. American has some really big American. It could be the American. So I I I think Dale's got some really good markets. Good markets and they've got good leadership. I think Tim Fernetti does a really good Tim Fernetti is their c ⁓ commissioner, right? Is that right? Yeah. That's right. He does a good job. So I I I I do and I think they're a forward thinking conference. And so yes, I do think they have have that ability. They they've got some good brands. But if I was them, I would keep expanding. Like JMU feels like a no brainer for them. Well, what do you think on this game? North Dakota State's eighteen and a half point favorite. I am taking the bison. I I didn't even catch who they were playing. I I completely forgot who they were playing at this point. We would almost ⁓ yeah, ⁓ yeah, yeah. No, North Dakota State. Yeah. I think they they went by probably thirty five. Okay. Let's pivot back to the Pac twelve, 'cause the reason I put this game on the docket is because Oregon State's in it and they have been one of my more favorite stories of the season thus far. But Oregon State going to play. Jim Moore Jr.'s Colorado State team, who has played good football thus far. ⁓ Oregon State, a five and a half point road favorite, have been awesome on offense. Mercer's transfer Braden Atkinson has been fantastic. And then they have the freshman of the year thus far in Jesse Legree out of St. Francis Academy, who has been functionally Malachi Tony two point ⁓ right? Like a freshman sensation. that seemingly every time he touches the ball, it is a storm warning because he is absolute lightning. ⁓ so yeah, I they're just interesting to me, man. And what ⁓ what Coach Shepard has done has been really, really good and they seem to be bought in and d gave Texas Tech all they wanted, gave Houston all they wanted. I mean, they've been a fun group to watch. So where are you at on this? I'm gonna take Oregon State. I think I I like what Jim Moore Junior's doing at Colorado State, but I think I don't think this game's gonna be relatively close. I think it'll be close maybe through the first quarter and I think Oregon State will pull away and probably win by th seventeen. Yeah, I I just think this is a Jimmys and Joe's things. And again, I I think they've got a bigger ability to hit explosives and nobody has solved the Jesse Legree riddle yet. And so until that happens, man, I'm I'm riding with the Beavers. I I I like ⁓ I like what they're doing. And I think they can make a run and make some things interesting. So plus, you gotta love seeing an FCS transfer just tearing it up at the FPS level. So Good on Brayden Atkinson. Played for Mercer last year. Saw him in person. He was playing for head coach Mike Jacobs, who's now at Toledo. I tried to find a way to get Toledo on the docket just so we could talk about Toledo because I think they've been a ton of fun too. But ⁓ we will talk about them. Love Coach Jacobs, former walk-on, the people's coach. He's awesome. So like what they got going on in Glass City. All right, next one on the docket, last power ⁓ or FPS pick of the day. Miami. Having to go to Death Valley to play Clemson. Miami is 16.5 point favorite. I've got this on here, brother, because Clemson from the ashes, I mean, should have been 0 2. They were North Carolina had them dead to rights. Then there is a storm delay for like three hours. Clemson comes back and wins the football game, then goes out to Cal last week, gets a win. Now they're sitting here at three and one, two and ⁓ in the ACC. everything in front of them and a monster game against this against this Miami team. So where you at on this? Have they turned a corner or are they a consequence of their schedule thus far? I think they are a consequence of their schedule, but I mean Miami's offense has looked unstoppable. And then until that last 20 minutes against Wake. And it wasn't like I mean Wake was making a comeback. So it wasn't like they didn't need to move the ball. What were they up? Like 30 to seven? And then all of a sudden it wasn't like they took their foot off the gas. ⁓ so I don't really know if I don't really know what to expect from this. Is Miami just going to come out like gangbusters like always and get to but like in that game they got down to the red zone a couple of times and got stalled. So I I don't I don't really know what to expect from Miami. Like I I want to take Miami. I really do and I think that's where I'm leaning. I think I'm going to take Miami. But I would not be shocked if Clemson keeps this one a little closer. I think Miami's gonna win the game. I don't think there's any question about that. But I think it's a matter of, you know, that's a big number and it's at Clemson. So I I I'm I I kind of feel like I'm talking myself in the Clemson, but gonna stick with Miami. But that that wake game is, you know, that weight game was what was that, a Thursday night game? Like the I felt like everything was in Wake's favor. It was, you know, at Wake, Thursday night game. So I'm gonna go with ⁓ I'm gonna I'm gonna take Miami. I'm gonna the Keynes. I'm gonna lay the points. ⁓ this is I'm in such a pickle on this. I'm gonna take Clemson and I'm gonna regret this Sunday morning. I'm gonna take him. Only only because the points make me uncomfortable with Miami. Like, don't you feel like every year Mario Cristobal's crew has just one stinker where you go, how on earth? Did that roster lay that egg? And maybe this is it. Like I I do always feel like with them it happens. ⁓ well, I guess you can't say that. They laid an egg against Louisville ⁓ at Miami last year. But, you know, they had that game against SMU last year, which was funky. Like I wouldn't say those rosters were comparable. ⁓ yeah, I I I'm I'm gonna take Clemson to cover, but I I think Miami's gonna win the football game. But I just think night game, Clemson's playing pretty good, freshman quarterback that's getting better. has the ability at least to give some some problems to the to the Miami defense. I we'll see, man. Like I the flip side of this is Darien Mintz has been as good as anyone in the country and Malachi Tony is Malachi Tony. Like I think Malachi Tony could win the Heisman Trophy. So like Yeah. All right. I'm not going to tuck myself out of it. Which could happen. Yeah. So I almost tucked myself into it, but I'll stick with the canes. Yeah. All right. Let's move on to the people's division. What really puts the asses in the seats, baby. And some big matchups, man. So this one could have been massive. But Illinois State got upended by Northern Iowa last weekend, which came out of nowhere. And still it can be an awesome ball game. Sa ⁓ South Dakota State possibly, I would say most likely, gonna be without Chase Mason, still recovering from a knee injury, which is a big deal. He is, I think, as good as any player at the FCS level. He's awesome. And when he plays, they win. That's just the long and short of it. So it's a big deal that he's not going to play. Illinois State. Played in the national title game last year, started off this year really, really well. Again, Wonky lost last week on the road, but it's what happens. ⁓ meat grinder of a conference that they play in. South Dakota State is a two and a half point favorite this weekend, going to normal to play at Hancock Stadium. Where are you sitting on this? I wish we were picking this game on Friday and not today, so we knew about Chase. ⁓ Yep. Yep. Gonna take n Northern Illinois. I'm not mm I don't know. I'm not not really confident in it, but that's where I'm leaning. Wait, you taking hold on, who you taking Illinois State? Il Illinois State, sorry, Illinois State. I God, I'm real conflicted on this. You know, I love the Jack Rabbits, so Yeah, dude. And Dan Jackson's awesome. Like, here's my thing with Illinois State. Gage Roy, really good player, has done a good job at quarterback thus far. ⁓ Dylan Loward's a really good player at wide receiver. they do they do a nice job. Like I I like their roster and I like what they do, and they have a great home field. Like Hancock Stadium's awesome. I I mean, I just really like this South Dakota State team a bunch. Like I liked them last year. And I think if you watch them last year, remember now they went when they went to North Dakota State, I'm pretty sure both teams were undefeated. And Chase Mason got hurt. And their season kinda took a nosedive after that. ⁓ I think the difference this year is they're more experienced. They are ferocious on defense, just a really, really good football team. And so Man, I think I'm gonna take them on the road to cover. Like they run the football really, really well. They just got road graders up front. They play good defense. I love what Coach Jackson does. Like I I just I really, really like them a lot. So I'm gonna take the Jacks. ⁓ I love the Redbirds. My father in law is a proud Redbirds grad. ⁓ I should have worn my Red Bird shirt tonight. I got a Illinois State shirt, like. But I like the Jacks, man. And I like Coach Jackson. So I'm taking the Jacks. I think they're going to cover on the road. And this is a big game, man. Number two against number eleven. A lot of ⁓ conference implications, a lot of playoff implications, all those things. So it'll be a ton of fun to watch. All right. Another fun one. NAU going to the ICCU dome to play Idaho State. Did I do too many C's? I did two C's. It's two C's. I C C U. ⁓ Number n number nineteen versus number fourteen, Idaho State is a six and a half point home favorite. Dude, Northern Arizona, good football team. Lost to Montana State last weekend and lost to Arizona earlier in the year. That's their only losses. So good football team. But where are you at on this? I think I'm gonna take Northern Arizona. Did I say the number? Did I say the number? Six and a Idaho State six and a half. Six and a half. I think I'm gonna take Northern Arizona to cover. I don't necessarily know if they're gonna pull off the pull off the upset, but I mean, I I've gone back through our our picks and there's been a lot of ⁓ there's been a lot of road covers in the people's division so far. So I'm I'm gonna I'm gonna stick with that trend and I'm gonna I'm gonna take Northern Arizona. Dude, I think this is a really, really tough game. Like I like both these programs. They're both sitting in that, you know, top top twenty window, ten to twenty. ⁓ both have really good quarterbacks. Ty Pennington does a really, really nice job for the Lumberjacks. And Jordan Cook has been outstanding for Idaho State. And dude, it's it's exciting that Idaho State is playing this well. ⁓ The Big Sky has been a ton of fun so far. Like, again, you look at Northern Arizona, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, like really, really fun top of the big sky. I am gonna go with the Bengals. ⁓ I'm a little bit biased because I just did a deep dive video on the history of the ICCU dome. And the Idaho State fan base has been delightful to deal with in commenting on that video and telling me about Idaho State football. So I am this is a little bit of a heartpick for your boy. It's nothing against the Lumberjacks. Northern Arizona is awesome. Also have the premier cross country program in all of these United States. ⁓ which there's a fun fact you didn't need to know, but now you do. So ⁓ multiple time national champions, ⁓ outstanding to run at elevation, apparently, my friend. It's good training. So there's all that that you didn't need to know about this matchup that's going to be played on a football field. But I'm taking the Bengals, baby. So I'm taking him to cover and I think it's gonna be a fun, fun night in the ICCU Dome. The artist formerly known and as Idaho State fans told me will always be known as Holt Dorino. So Holt the Reno fixing to be rocking, Debbie. So wait, are we divergent on that? That means that's another point of disagreement? This is our first this is our first week where we've really diverged a lot. Yeah, I like it. I need I need to get back in the game. I'm I'm getting my behind beat right now, so I gotta get myself back in the game. All right. Last one of I know that's why I need to come back. I gotta get back get back in the game, baby. All right. Last one on the docket. Youngstown state, southern Illinois, the Penguins versus the Salukies. Is there a better mascot matchup across college football this week than the Gwens versus the Salukies? Come on with it. Youngstown State number 10 in the country. The Salukies number 25. Youngstown State is a three and a half point road favorite. As a reminder, they ⁓ boast reigning Peyton Award winner, Bo Brungard, at quarterback. And ⁓ he has been phenomenal again this season. He is leading the Gwyns in passing yards, obviously, but also in rushing yards. 20 total touchdowns. He's a stud. ⁓ Not a bad stuff. Three and half point road favorites for the Gwens. Where are you at this? I have picked against them twice so far this season, and it's burned me both times. So I'm gonna take Young South State to cover. ⁓ get laying the three and a half on the road. All right. This is a dude, I think this is a cool game. ⁓ the Saluckies, their quarterback's DJ Williams. DJ Williams is fantastic, was in very much in the Peyton Award conversation to start the year last year and has been excellent this year. So I think they're a ton of fun. I think he was injured early in the season. I think he got injured in the opener against West Florida, which they lost thirty four to thirty one. West Florida has had a good year. ⁓ so that wasn't like a fluke or anything. So their only other loss is to Illinois. ⁓ I dude, I think this game's a lot of fun. I am going to pick this is purely based off the quarterbacks and I am going to hedge with Bo Brungard, but I think this game is gonna be awesome. Like I think this is gonna be a ton of fun and big, big matchup in the Missouri Valley football conference. So yeah, dude got dude think dude, look at this, look at this look at this slate for the Missouri Valley. All right. You got North Dakota, South Dakota State, Southern Illinois, Youngstown State. Illinois State, South Dakota, Northern Iowa. Like Murderers Road, dude. Like what a it is the SEC of the FCS. And I will take no arguments otherwise. For me, MVFC is the SEC and the Big Sky is the Big Ten. I hope nobody gets upset with me for that comparison. Both stud conferences, okay? So I hope none of those four conferences get upset with me, but I like that comparison. I would say the big sky is a little more top heavy. But the meat at the top is legit. Yeah. So yeah. How do you how do you feel about that comparison? You think that's fair? I think that's fair. I I think it's I think I think it's a very fair comparison because I mean I think the big sky, I think the Big Ten's top heavy. So I think it's a very fair comparison. Yeah. All right. That's all I got. That's the last game I got. So well, we got eleven games this week, which is a little short. How many we picked last week? Seventeen? Fifteen. We had seventeen and we picked two. We had 17 in week two. ⁓ Yeah, boy, we were aggressive in week two. The boys were excited. ⁓ We're excited to be. ⁓ no, it was that was week one. That was week one. We had fourteen in week two, seventeen in week one. We only did ten in week three, and then we had fifteen last week. Yeah, the boys boys were excited. Eleven. This this is a manageable slate. Yeah. All right. What's your what's your parting words for this week? So, Big weekend for for us. I will get to see zero football this weekend because ⁓ one of my one of my daughters is turning 16 on Friday. So pray for me, folks. Pray for me. Yep. So happy birthday, guys. That is after one week after the proclamation that I get from Jimmy last year. What I don't want to mess this up. What what did you tournament last year? For what type of Saturday it would be when you don't want to leave your couch? ⁓ glue your ass. Glue your ass. Glu I think glue your ass. Glue your ass. Or plant plant your ass or glue your ass one of the I think it was glue your ass. And also big weekend for you. ⁓ I mean happy anniversary. Wha what what year is this for you? I I I don't know, I've lost track. I think wait, wait, wait, no, no, hold on, hold on fifty fifteen, fifteen, yeah, 'cause Chloe turned one right after Chlo Chloe turned one on the day you got married. That's right. So Yeah, my marriage can my marriage can almost drive, homie. ⁓ that's insane. So congratulations. Fifteen years. Crazy, yeah. Get a little personal here. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Yeah. Tom tomorrow, fifteen fifteen years. Boy, you talk about out kicking your coverage. Your boy. Big time, man. So it's funny when you post the picture of the happy birthday post to her a couple a couple months, what was it last month? ⁓ in the white pant picture. I just started laughing hysterically. I was like, dear God, dude. Yeah. Hey, look, your boy ain't afraid to say okay. Look, my wife and I've been married married fifteen years. We've been together though for twenty two years come November. All right. And let's just say, at least on your boy's side, the heat is is still very much there. Like she is a walk in fire emoji to me. So And she hasn't aged today. And yes, the white pants that she had on the first birthday that I spent with her, God bless America. We can bring in back anytime. I'll be all right with that. Yes. Sign me up. All right, well, it's gonna be another outstanding week. Saturdays are for the people until we talk with y'all next week. Kiss you nooch.